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Original poster

Leaving gift for longtime school secretary from PTA

25 replies

EveryoneFreeze · 14/03/2019 15:57

Just that really. The head secretary at our school is about to retire and we’d like to get her something on behalf of the parent community. Ideally we’d like it to be thoughtful or significant in some way but we don’t want to just get random tat that will collect dust. Budget is about £150. I’d be grateful for any suggestions.

OP posts:

PhilipSchofieldPlea · 14/03/2019 15:59

What about a bloom and wild subscription- flowers sent every month as long as your budget allows?

Or a spa voucher?

Babyfoal · 14/03/2019 16:19

M and s voucher.

Original poster

EveryoneFreeze · 18/03/2019 14:19

Thanks very much for the suggestions. Bumping in case anyone can think of anything else. A gift card is our fallback but we were hoping for something slightly more meaningful, or at least a £50 meaningful item and a £100 gift card type of thing.

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Starlight456 · 18/03/2019 14:29

I would be really annoyed if £150 was spent on money raised for something that doesn’t benefit the school . I would rather give to a private collection

Wendywoo1000 · 18/03/2019 16:13

Im a school secretary and would appreciate lots of flowers, wine and afternoon tea somewhere.

Lonecatwithkitten · 18/03/2019 16:15

Does she have a name or connection for which there is a rise. David Austin have a massive collection of bare root or shrub stock.

Leeds2 · 18/03/2019 17:33

Bird table/bird bath.
Designer handbag or watch.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 18/03/2019 18:17

Afternoon tea

Does she have a garden? Gardening vouchers, so she can buy shrubs or trees or plants to remind her of you all.

NT subscription if she doesn’t already have one.

MsTSwift · 18/03/2019 18:19

John Lewis vouchers

lilyboleyn · 18/03/2019 19:33

Tiffany necklace

FFSOMG · 18/03/2019 19:41

A nice bracelet?

Fuzzyheadache · 18/03/2019 19:44

£150 is quite large out of the PTA funds! However, if the school has requested that then so be it!
However, given the amount of money, vouchers would be best with a nice card. I have been bought so many things other people thought was lovely, and it is, but just not practical for me.

QueenieMum · 18/03/2019 19:52

Could you pay for a photographer to come and take some nice photos of her - on her own with leaving gifts, with the staff and maybe even a whole school photo? If you have someone who can take good photos could you use the money to make a photo book and use current and other photos from her time there? Any money left over could be given in vouchers.

strathmore · 18/03/2019 19:55

This is not an appropriate use of PTA funds, you would need to make a separate specific collection or use your own personal funds.

ThunderStorms · 18/03/2019 19:59

I would be really annoyed if £150 was spent on money raised for something that doesn’t benefit the school . I would rather give to a private collection

Totally agree with this. It’s an enormous amount of money and funds from the PTA should be going to the school children!

strathmore · 18/03/2019 20:03

You need to look at your constitution. It would typically say that the purpose is to support the education of pupils. So this would not be a permissible use.

What does yours say?

You also need to look at charity legislation about the misuse of funds and liability.

Gazelda · 18/03/2019 20:03

£150 would be a huge chunk out of many PTAs income. As a parent, I wouldn't be happy at this expenditure.

Have you checked that it's not against your constitutions rules?

I think that maybe a framed photo of the school, or an album made up of events she's been at, or a giant card (although I imagine many of the teaching staff might well be organising similar).

Perhaps an engraved bangle with a heartfelt message?

Why not ask the Head for their thoughts?

EnlightenmentwasaPassingPhase · 18/03/2019 20:08

I think that maybe a framed photo of the school

God no!

Vouchers and bunch of flowers. But not out of PTA funds.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 18/03/2019 20:12

Something for school with a education to her. PTA funds aren't for presents!
The bench you've been saving for with her name on? The "Mrs Secretary" storage shed? The "Mrs S" iPad charging trolley/ slide/ library corner?

Usuallyinthemiddle · 18/03/2019 20:13

Dedication not education!

raindancemumma · 18/03/2019 20:14

I think a particularly beautiful rose, a piece of jewellery (if you know her taste well enough) and a JL voucher would be lovely. Although others may think this a bit basic....

raindancemumma · 18/03/2019 20:15

Also, like other PP, I'm assuming that the funds are being donated rather than taken from school monies?

Cwtches123 · 18/03/2019 20:19

Please come back and confirm that PTA funds are not being used to pay for this and that it is being funded by a totally independent collection.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 18/03/2019 20:22

Agree. It's really not on. Get the kids to make her something or record her a message. If you're spending PTA funds it should be on pupil enrichment not leaving gifts.

Ariela · 18/03/2019 20:24

I would assume the funds have been collected.
We did this and bought a scented rose bush with the flowers the colour of the school jumpers, and a bird table, after consulting with the secretary's husband as to what she'd like and retirement plans.

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